F8X S55 owners BEWARE!!!!

[blockdoc]

Originally Posted by WeekendWarriorz

Open up the reservoir for the charge air cooler, I would just monitor it every few weeks. If you notice fluid dropping then there would be a concern. For example: you could use a straw and then the first time you measure use a sharpie and mark the height of the fluid.

Where is this?

[WeekendWarriorz]

Originally Posted by blockdoc

Where is this?

Right here, marked in red.

[rustyrotors]

Wouldn't you notice white exhaust smoke with a sweet coolant smell? Wouldn't that be an indicator of coolent and oil being mixed?

[WeekendWarriorz]

Originally Posted by rustyrotors

Wouldn't you notice white exhaust smoke with a sweet coolant smell? Wouldn't that be an indicator of coolent and oil being mixed?

My assumption is that the intercooler core develops a small leak in it allowing fluid to leak over a span of time, it would be pretty hard to notice unless it was just dumping water in there. But again who knows, I'm just sharing what I've found from a buddies experience!

[FSociety]

These Intercooler leaks have been popping up more and more lately jesus!

[domino_z]

If you want to check for sure, removing cold side inlet pipe would be easiest

Still fair bit of work

VRSF cold-side charge pipe DIY https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1544942

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by MDM

This doesn't surprise me at all… However that is not the only place it can leak from as I found out about four months ago my charge coolant expansion tank had to be replaced because I had a slow leak although I saw no evidence or could smell anything either which was extremely odd. I just knew it was leaking internally. All is good now :-) sidenote, both my charge cooling expansion tank and engine block coolant expansion tank have been replaced one each. 2016 M4

No I meant to check the coolant level to see if your losing coolant. My tank was fine but it was completely empty. Filled it up and a few weeks later it was empty again. Then I checked the cold side pipe and saw coolant

[FAKE__NEWS]

My charge reservoir emptied back in November and threw a code, refilled it and it hasn't drained yet. We pressure tested my whole system and found no leaks. I'm at a loss but now I think I'm just going to grab a CSF top mount for piece of mind.

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by FAKE__NEWS

My charge reservoir emptied back in November and threw a code, refilled it and it hasn't drained yet. We pressure tested my whole system and found no leaks. I'm at a loss but now I think I'm just going to grab a CSF top mount for piece of mind.

The forge intercooler looks like a better engineered unit

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by domino_z

The forge intercooler looks like a better engineered unit

Looks like a great piece especially since it also includes the expansion tank. Any reviews on it? It's the cheapest out of all the options so kind of surprising.

[franzzz]

Same problem on car of my friend. Intercooler damaged internally

[FAKE__NEWS]

Originally Posted by domino_z

The forge intercooler looks like a better engineered unit

I can't seem to find one in stock in the US. But thanks for that info, looked it up and agree!

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by FAKE__NEWS

I can't seem to find one in stock in the US. But thanks for that info, looked it up and agree!

Just buy it off forge uk website and ship it

They had 25% off on Black Friday, was a great buy then

[M3anPower]

Originally Posted by domino_z

Just buy it off forge uk website and ship it

They had 25% off on Black Friday, was a great buy then

How is it better engineered if no data provided? Not trying to sound rude but without actual proof we can't judge which is better.

Anyways, I hope this thread does make the top intercooler more expensive because as of now they are ridiculously expensive.

[ronin_pdx]

This has happen to me the dealer replaced it under warranty tho

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by ronin_pdx

This has happen to me the dealer replaced it under warranty tho

What did they replace? IC + tank or just the IC?

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by M3anPower

How is it better engineered if no data provided? Not trying to sound rude but without actual proof we can't judge which is better.

Anyways, I hope this thread does make the top intercooler more expensive because as of now they are ridiculously expensive.

Plenty of pics/info/data here
https://www.forgemotorsport.com/BMW_...uct--1602.html

Reality is nobody, not the forum vendors claiming they felt a noticeable difference, not even csf who make it, have released any data on the csf aftermarket coolers

[mike@x-ph.com]

Had the same issue with the shop's M4, not sure what caused the leak (car was completely stock).
We have not had any issues since upgrading to the CSF cooler

[jmciver]

Has anybody who has seen a failed charge cooler looked a bit deeper to possibly determine where the leak/failure is occurring inside the charge cooler? Does it have to do with the plastic end tanks (I would think not)? Something with the internal fin design? Where is the weak link in the OEM design and how did the aftermarket options (CSF or Forge) address this weak link?

[WeekendWarriorz]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Has anybody who has seen a failed charge cooler looked a bit deeper to possibly determine where the leak/failure is occurring inside the charge cooler? Does it have to do with the plastic end tanks (I would think not)? Something with the internal fin design? Where is the weak link in the OEM design and how did the aftermarket options (CSF or Forge) address this weak link?

Very likely it's the plastic end tanks, that's my assumption because it sits on the top of the engine bay (heat rises) and causes stress/plastic to weaken over time. Especially on cars that are driven hard. I know on the 135i/335i the stock intercooler end tanks are plastic and can leak overtime as well.

If that's not the case it could just be a weak fin pack inside the intercooler that weakens over time causing leaks.

And many of the companies use thicker pieces of material for fins from what it looks like, it's like comparing a stock Intercooler core to a VRSF intercooler core, one is thin and brittle the other has more support, better material, thicker, etc.

[overlook637]

The plastic end tanks are for air not water. The water would flow thru the metal radiator. The intercooler is basically just a radiator with enclosed air.

[BlackChili]

Originally Posted by WeekendWarriorz

The car has only seen Newport Beach BMW and Mckenna BMW for routine service since new, both reputable dealerships in SoCal...

FWIW Sterling BMW in Newport Beach is not a "reputable" shop. Disconnected vacuum lines, missing lug nuts, broken bolts, and that's just on the M4.